Psychological Wellbeing of Saudi Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Illnesses

Abstract

Patients’ psychosocial status interferes with their ability to manage their physical needs independently affecting health care outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological wellbeing of patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses in Saudi Arabia. A cross sectional survey using 412 patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses has been used to collected data in regards to depressive symptoms, psychological distress and life satisfaction. 17.5% of the patients reported that they had moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and about 50% of them had high level of life satisfaction, moderate level of psychological distress. There were significant association between patients’ age and depression (r = .17, p = .003), while no significant correlation with life satisfaction and psychological distress (p > .05). Positive and significant correlation found between period of diagnosis and life satisfaction (r = .16, p = .010), and negative and significant correlations with psychological distress (r = -.13, p = .029). Also patients were different in the level of life satisfaction relation to medical diagnoses (F5412 = 2.74, p = .019). Patients with chronic illness are in need for psychological care, and periodic psychological screening is one step toward maintaining their psychological wellbeing.